US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

Crew members load a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft prior to take‐off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft can carry 247,000 pounds of fuel for refueling plus up to 100,000 pounds of freight or passenger payload. This event was a proof-of-concept exercise to use contracted aerial refueling to support U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft. The KDC-10 tanker supported 51st Fighter Wing F‐16 Fighting Falcons enroute to Commando Sling 23. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea Caballero)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Catalina Waller, 51st Maintenance Squadron aircraft structural maintenance craftsman, boards a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft prior to take‐off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft can carry 247,000 pounds of fuel for refueling plus up to 100,000 pounds of freight or passenger payload. Over 40 participating members of Commando Sling 23 boarded this aircraft and took part in the first ever Air Force contracted aerial refueling of their fighter aircraft, highlighting the innovative initiatives for problem resolution. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chase Verzaal)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force maintenance Airmen board a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft prior to take‐ off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft can carry 247,000 pounds of fuel for refueling plus up to 100,000 pounds of freight or passenger payload. This event was a part of a proof-of-concept exercise to use contracted aerial refueling to support U.S. Air Force fighter aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea Caballero)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force Captain Melanie Valentin, 36th Fighter Squadron pilot, prepares to enter the seat of an F‐16 Fighting Falcon to take off from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. Pilots from the 36th FS flew to the Republic of Singapore to participate in Commando Sling 23. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐ sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

A U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron takes off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The 36th FS flew with a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft during the journey to Commando Sling 23, providing both refueling and passenger transport capabilities. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea Caballero)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Chandanais, 731st Air Mobility Squadron special handling supervisor, and Senior Airman Joseph Holliday, 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron Documented Cargo ground transportation operator, transfer cargo to load onto a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft features dual usage with the capability to refuel mid‐flight and carry freight or passengers. This groundbreaking event is the first ever contracted aerial refueling to support Air Force fighter aircraft. The goal was to demonstrate a proof-of-concept and refuel F‐16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing enroute to Commando Sling 23. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐ sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea Caballero)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force Airman Maria Lopez, 731st Air Mobility Squadron aircraft services technician, loads cargo onto a commercial KDC-10 tanker aircraft prior to take-off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft features dual usage with the capability to refuel mid-flight and carry freight or passengers. This groundbreaking event is the first ever Air Force contracted aerial refueling to support Air Force fighter aircraft. The contracter refueled F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute to Commando Sling 23. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chase Verzaal)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron prepare to take off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The 36th FS flew with a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft during the journey to Commando Sling 23, providing both refueling and passenger transport capabilities. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

A U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron takes off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The 36th FS flew with a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft during the journey to Commando Sling 23, providing both refueling and passenger transport capabilities. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron prepare to take off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The 36th FS flew with a commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft during the journey to Commando Sling 23, providing both refueling and passenger transport capabilities. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Trevor Gordnier)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

A commercial KDC-10 tanker aircraft takes off at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft features dual usage with the capability to refuel midflight and carry freight or passengers. This groundbreaking initiative is the first ever U.S. Air Force contracted aerial refueling to support their fighter aircraft. The mission supported F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute to Commando Sling 23. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forcessponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Chase Verzaal)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

A commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon from the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute Commando Sling 23 at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft can carry 247,000 pounds of fuel for refueling plus up to 100,000 pounds of freight or passenger payload. This groundbreaking event is the first ever contracted aerial refueling of Air Force fighter aircraft which took place to support the F-16s in Commando Sling 23, highlighting innovative initiatives for problem resolution. (Courtesy Photo)

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US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

A commercial KDC‐10 tanker aircraft refuels a U.S. Air Force F‐16 Fighting Falcon from the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Nov. 6, 2023. The aircraft features dual usage with the capability to refuel mid‐flight and carry freight or passengers. This groundbreaking event is the first ever contracted aerial refueling of Air Force fighter aircraft which took place to support the F‐16s in Commando Sling 23. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces‐sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability. (Courtesy Photo)

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Team Osan champions efficient transportation methods

Published Nov. 9, 2023
By 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Osan Air Base

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

This groundbreaking initiative is the first ever U.S. Air Force contracted aerial refueling to support their fighter aircraft. The mission supported F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, enroute to Commando Sling 23. CS23 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral training event with the Republic of Singapore Air Force designed to increase interoperability and improve alliance capability.

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft

US Air Force completes first commercial air-to-air refueling of fighter aircraft